Collector for finely-divided solids



May 27, 1930.

1. s'. MERRELL ET AL COLLECTOR FOR FIELY DIVIDED SOLIDS Filed Jan. 12, 1926 )f77-Ness ur 74] I/ 3 sheets-sheet 1' May 27, 1930. s. MERRELL ET AL 1,760,764

COLLECTOR FOR FNELY DIVIDED SOLIDS Filed Jan. l2, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 )h1-Nass N May 27, 1930. l. s. vrvu-:RRE|..1 E1- AL COLLECTOR FOR FINELY DIVIDED SOLIDS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 1926 nl-lm 1h TNES s Patented May 27, 1930 'ge a.

PATENT OFFICE IRVIN G S. MERRELL AND OLIVER EDWARD MERRELL, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, AS-

SIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 MERRELL-SOULE COMPANY, INC., OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION 0F DELAWARE COLLECTOR FOR FINELY-DIVIDED SOLIDS Application led January 12, 1926. Serial No. 80,831.

This invention relates to a new and improved collector for finely divided solids, and altho the apparatus is capable of quite general employment, it is particularly designed for use in connection with desiccating apparatus for separating in powdered form the constituent solids from the atmosphere, in somel instances laden with the moisture or vapor of complex organic substances, such as milk, eggs7 or the like, a type of such apparatus being illustrated in Letters Patent No. 1,088,436, issued to Irving S. Merrell February 24, 1914.

In the separation of the solids as contemplated by the patent above referred to, and especially in the production of milk powder, it is customary to pass the air and vapor carried thereby through bolting sleeves or bags of fabric or other suitable material for effecting the desired separation, and in the course of such process the powder collects on the surface and in the pores of the bag or boltingsleeve and tends to obstruct the escape of the moisture-laden air, and the main object of 'this invention is to more effectively and rapidly remove such powder from the bags to thereby facilita-te the separation of the powder from the moisture-laden atmosphere by permitting the rapid and ready escape of the moisture-laden atmosphere from the bag and this advantageous result is edected by the provision of novel means for giving to the bag a peculiar shaking or agitating movement of a gyratory nature accompanied by a shivery motion resultant from automatic variation in the gyratory movement which Vdislodges the powder from the interior surface and pores ot' the bag and causes it to discharge from the bag into a collecting space provided.

Other objects and advantages relate to the details of the structure, all as will more fully appear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a view partially in section of an apparatus of this invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of a portion of the agitating apparatus.

Figure 3 is a vertical section through the agitating apparatus.

Figures 4 and 5 are views similar to 2 and 3, but of a modiied form of the apparatus.

The apparatus as shown in Figures l, 2 and 3 comprises a desiccating chamber 1 which may be of any suitable form and shape, the one shown being merely illustrative and not intended to convey any idea of specific dimensions. In the desiccation of milk or similar substances, means such as the pipe Q is provided for conveying heated air to the chamber 1 and in addition the substance to be desiccated is introduced into the chamber in the form of a finely divided spray through a spray nozzle 3 The heated air coming in contact with the minute particles of the spray of the substance to be desiccated aierts an instantaneous-vaporization ofthe water content of the substance and a portion ot' the resultant powder drops to the lloor of the desiccating chamber, and is there collected while another portion in this particular illustration passes upwardly into a collector' which comprises one or more bolting tubes or bags l0 arranged in a chamber lt In this particular illustration a single bag is shown although in the use of large desiccating chambers a considerable number of such bags would doubtless be required, but as this invention relates particularly to a peculiar agitation of the bag and as each bag is agitated in the same manner, a description of the invention as applied to a single bag will be equally descriptive of its application to any number of bags. As shown, the collector 1- has an opening 5 in its bottom surrounded by bag-ring 6 to which the lower end of the bag is secured in any suitable manner, as locking ring 7 The upper end of the bag in a similar manner is 'secured to upper bag-ring 8 in any suitable manner as by locking ring 9 and as illustrated, the upper bag-ring S is of a structure effecting a complete closure of the upper end of the bag so that any moistureladen air carrying along with it particles of powder must escape through the Walls of the bag or tube l0 and from thence through valve controlled opening 1l to outlet pipe -12- which may communicate directly with the atmosphere or perhaps preferably be in connection with a suction pump which will positively draw the moisture-laden air through the collector. In case sufficient air is passed through the cloth to tend to hold the cloth outwardly and to prevent or interfere with the desired motion, then the bags are used alternately and the valve opening 1.1 is alternately opened and closed to prevent or permit passage of air.

For the purpose of automatically removing the powder which collects upon the interior of the bag -10- by a peculiar agitation of the bag so that the powder will discharge preferably into the desiccating chamber -l--, means is provided for giving to the upper bag-ring -8- a gyratory and shivering movement which is found most effective for the purpose at hand. For this purpose a base 13- is mounted above the collecting chamber -/lin any suitable manner upon the angle irons llland l5 extending laterally in this instance, of the desiccating chamber, and supported in any suitable manner so as to be rigid with the chamber.

Y This base -13- may also have a return bent flange which is secured in any suitable manner by rivets to the upper wall of the collecting chamber -l--. On this base is mounted a tubular member -16- formed at its upper end with a concave spherical bearing 17 which may be termed the lower spherical bearing.

The upper bag-ring -8- is mounted on a shaft -29- that extends upwardly through the hub l8 of an upper spherical bearing -19- of convex nature, and adapted to rest upon and move upon the upwardly facing spherical bearing 1T- Preferably both of these bearings are formed on substantially the same radius so as to remain in contact throughout their cooperating surfaces. A pulley -20- is mounted on the opposed bushings -21- and -22- which bushings in turn are mounted on the shaft -29-, the lower one -Q2- having a radially and outwardly extending flange resting against the upper surface of the spherical bearing -l9-. The bushing -21- in like manner is provided with a radially and outwardly extending flange at its upper end, and between these radial flanges on the bushing a hub of the pulley 20- is confined.

An end thrust bearing member -23- is mounted on and pinned to the upper end of the shaft 2Q- in contact with the radial flange on the bushing -2l-- and this end thrust bearing is formed with a convex contact surface in contact with a concave contact surface upon the upper end thrust bearing 24tsupported by and adjustable through a yoke -25- mounted on and secured to the base 13 in any suitable manner, as by bolts -26-. This yoke as perhaps best illustrated in Figures l and 2, is of arch form and extends diagonally across the base 13- and is formed with laterally extending arms -27, -28 and -30-, the former two extending laterally to one side of the yoke and the latter' extending laterally with the opposite side of the yoke, and cach of said arms carrying an adjustable threaded stop-member -3l constituting an abutment for one end of a helical spring -25L-, the opposite ends of which springs surround adjustable studs --33- secured in the respective arm -34-. and S6- extending outwardly from and in this instance integral with the lower end thrust bearing -23-, the ends of the arms being in alignment with respective stop members -31-.

The springs 32- prevent rotary movement of the shaft Q9- and the upper spherical bearing -19- and tend to maintain the shaft 29- in vertical position. The pulley -20- which is free to rotate on and with respect to the shaft -29- carries a weight 37- mounted eccentrically on the pulley and in this instance secured to a portion of the circumference thereof in any suitable manner, as by bolts 38- and for the purpose of making it more effective, the weight extends radially and outwardly some distance from the operative surface of the pulley.

In operation, rotation of the pulley 20- from any suitable source and through suitable means, as a belt, causes a constant shifting movement of the weight -37-, which in turn causes a gyrator movement of shaft -29-, upper spherical gearing -19- and a similar movement of the upper bag-ring -8-. Figure 3 of the drawings illustrates crossing lines` which intersect at a point at substantially the axis of movement of the shaft -29- in its gyratory movement and the curvature of the lower and upper spherical bearings and the lower and upper end-thrust bearings respectively should be determined by the respective radii on opposite sides of this axis of movement.

The result is that this structure produces by mechanical means a continuous gyratory movement of the upper end of the bag -lO- as it follows the upper bag-ring -8- in its movement, and no portion of the structure in this illustration has a rotary movement. except the pulley and weight. I

In Figures 4 and 5 a modified form of the apparatus is shown. In the structure there illustrated, the shaft -LlO- which carries the upper bag ring is a rotary shaft and the bag-ring is of a chambered character consisting of two opposed concave-convex members 4land 4Q- connected together at their edges in any suitable manner, as by bolts 4S- the outer edge of the members -41- and 4Q-f forming a channel for 183. GAS SEPARATlON. J

receiving the bag -8- and its locking ring -9-. The shaft --40- has a bearing 101 in the section -42- and a bearing 102 in the section 41.

This upper bag ring is secured in any suitable manner as by bolts 44- to a bushing or sleeve '15 mounted on the shaft -40- and secured in any suitable manner, as by bolts 16- to the upper spherical bearing 'l7-, which so far as its contact surface is concerned, is similar to the upper spherical bearing -19- of the former figures. The lower spherical bearing -18- which is like the lower spherical bearing -17- of the former figures is mounted on and secured to the base 4Q- in any suitable manneras by bolts, and this base in like manner as the base -13 of the former figures` is carried by the angle irons -lf-land -15--. Above the sleeve 45- a pulley -52- is mounted on and secured to the shaft 10- for effecting rotary movement of the shaft. For the purpose of limiting the downward movement of shaft 410- the upper portion of the sleeve -45- is received and provided with a thrust bearing 50 in which the shaft -flO- is journaled and with which a shoulder -51- on the Shaft contacts. The bearing may be 0f any suitable and well known construction, such as the ball-bearing illustrated.

Above the pulley -52- a lower end thrust bearing --53- is mounted on the shaft flO- and secured to it in any suitable manner by set screw for simultaneous rotation, and this bearing is formed with an upwardly facing convex spherical surface for contact with the downwardly facing concave spherical surface of the adjustable upper end thrust bearing 5twhich in like manner as the bearing 24- is mounted in a yoke -55- of arch form secured to the base -49- in any suitable manner, as by bolts -56-.

In order to prevent rotary movement of the upper spherical bearing -47- and the parts secured thereto, and to normally maintain the shaft -40- in vertical position, the spherical bearing 47- is provided with two radially and outwardly projecting arms -57- diametrically disposed one only being shown and between these two arms and the base -49- are disposed helical springs -58- one only being shown that normally maintain the upper spherical bearing in a horizontal position and maintain it from rotation. The gyratory p movement of the upper bag-ring in the structure here illustrated is produced by a weight 59- mounted on and secured to the shaft -10- in any suitable manner, the weight being positioned eccentrically with respect to the shaft and within the chamber formed between the sections 41- and 412- of the bag-ring, whereby rotation of shaft -40- will be accompanied by a gyratory movement of the shaft and the upper bag-ring due to the eccentricity of the weight -59-, and thereby causing relative movementbetween the two opposed spherical surfaces of the upper and lower spherical bearings 17- and -48-- The spherical surface of the upper spherical bearing may be constituted of babbitt with graphite pellets imbedded therein, and the lower spherical bearing may perhaps preferably be a bronze casting.

In each case the lower spherical bearing is tubular, and is provided in its central opening with an upstanding collar or flange 60- forming a chamber or channel in which lubricant is received and retained for lubricating the spherical surfaces of the bearings. In each instance the upper and lower spherical bearings provide what may be termed a universal joint permitting universal angular' movement of the shaft carrying the bag-ring.

The flexible shield -61- may be provided secured to the upper wall of the chamber -fland depending about an upstanding flange formed on the upper section -42- so as to shut olf communication between the chamber -4 and the interior of the mechanism for effecting gyratory movement of the upper bag ring.

The shaking ring due to the action of the weight has a reciprocating rotary movement in a somewhat tilted position through an arcuate path, the diameter of which may constantly vary, and in an arcuate path having a center that may constantly vary, whereby a peculiar shivering movement is given to the collecting bag. However, the movement of the shaking apparatus is generally of a gyratory character resultant from the tiltinfr of shafts -29 or -40- by the weight which is carried by the rotary pulley or the rotary shaft respectively. As suggested, on account of the manner in which the structure is hung or supported, the circle in which the upper bag ring moves is not a true circle, but may be of a more or less spiral nature, and the center of the circle probably does not remain constant, and at various times it will probably be found to be in different directions from a point below the center of shaft 29- or 40- when in a normal vertical position. The result is a peculiar motion of a shivering nature transmitted to the collector bag 10- which constantly changes its position vertically land this results in the throwing oflI of the accumulated solids.

Altho I have shown and described specific constructions as illustrative of embodiments of my invention, and have pointed out certain structures as perhaps preferable, I do not desire to restrict myself to the details of the structures or the form and relation of the parts thereof, as various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

CII

I claim:

1. A collecting apparatus for finely divided solids including a ring, a collecting element supported thereby, a shaft, and mechanism permitting movement of said shaft in continuously changing directions, Said mechanism including a plurality ot' spring actuated members, a pair of opposed spherical bearings and a Weight.

A collecting apparatus for finely divided solids including a ring, a collecting element supported thereby, a shaft, means for producing a gyratory movement of the shaft including a universal joint and a Weight, and spring means tending to return the shaft to a vertical position during such gyratory movement.

3. A collecting apparatus for finely divided solids including a ring, a collecting element supported thereby, a shaft, and mechanism permitting a movement of said shaft in continuously changing directions, said mechanism including a plurality of spring actuated members and including a pair of opposed spherical bearings.

il. A collecting apparatus for finely divided solids including a bolting sleeve, a shaft, means for producing a gyratory movement of the shaft including a universal joint, and spring means tending to return the shaft to a vertical position during such gyratory movement.

r In witness whereof We have hereunto setour hands this 6th day ot' January, 1926.

IRVING S. MERRELL. O. EDVARD MERRELL. 

